Roads reopening in Central Hawke's Bay as clean-up continues

The Tukituki River was still swollen yesterday, as seen overlooking the Tukituki Valley from Waimararama Rd. Photo / Warren Buckland

Some roads were still closed in Central Hawke's Bay yesterday as the clean-up from Tuesday's rain continued, but otherwise things were returning to normal after the deluge.

The Central Hawke's Bay District Council was yesterday assessing and clearing nine roads which had been closed by fallen trees, including Abbotsford Rd in Waipawa, not expected to reopen until next week, and Porangahau Rd, where a road block was still in place between Nicholls Rd to Wallingford Rd due to logs and silt on road, and areas of scouring.

A further 17 smaller roads in more rural areas that were closed for a time had been reopened yesterday morning, although Farm Rd, Rangitoto Rd and River Rd were down to one lane.

Work also continued yesterday morning to clear the wastewater treatment plants in Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otane after they were flooded with stormwater from the downpour.

Residents had been advised they may find their toilets gurgling and that water was slow to drain away, but the pumps were fully operational.

Chief executive Monique Davidson said the council knew of one family who were isolated by flooding, but overall the district had fared well.

"However, we are very aware of the impact of shifting floodwaters on our rural and coastal communities, with there still being a large amount of flooding and ponding in the rural and coastal areas."

In the Wairoa district, clean-up work was continuing with only three rural roads remaining closed due to flooding yesterday.

Economic development and engagement manager Kitea Tipuna said it was anticipated these would open as soon as the weather improved and water levels continued to drop.

"Some of our rural roads and associated infrastructure like bridges took a bit of a battering, but other than that, there was no major damage or issues with council's other infrastructure," he said.

Tipuna acknowledged the team at QRS for the great work they were doing to clean up and help ensure roads could be opened as soon as possible.

The Tukituki River at Red Bridge was still at five-year levels yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Around the Hastings district Soldier Settlement Rd, Taihape Rd from the Kuripapango Forest gate, Crownthorpe Settlement Rd, Ellis Wallace Rd, McVicar Rd, Aropaoanui Rd, Darkys Spur Rd, Huirangi Rd, Makahu Rd and Old Coach Rd were still closed yesterday due to anything from slips to flooding to fallen trees.

The Napier to Taihape Rd was reopened about 12.30pm yesterday, a Hastings District Council spokesperson said.

By yesterday, the Waipawa and Tukituki Rivers were back within normal flow range except for the lower Tukituki River at Red Bridge, which was still high but expected to drop over the day.

All the region's major rivers hit five-year levels during this week's storm, with the Tutaekuri at Puketapu and the Esk both hitting 15-year levels, said Hawke's Bay Civil Defence emergency management group controller Ian MacDonald.

He urged the public to stay away from rivers for the next few days.